Texas high school football is more than just a game — it’s a way of life. Dave Campbell's Texas Football is spotlighting a different program from across the Lone Star State, diving into their history, traditions, and legends. From powerhouse programs to hidden gems, Texas High School Football Spotlight is your deep dive into what makes each team unique. Whether it’s unforgettable seasons, iconic players, or fierce rivalries, this series celebrates the schools, communities, and stories that define Texas high school football.

Today’s Spotlight: The Houston Yates Lions

The Rundown

One of the original three Black high schools in Houston, the Yates Lions have been the pride of the Third Ward for nearly a century. Not only did they reach the peak of TXHSFB in 1985, but their sustained success was unmatched by a state record 38 consecutive playoff appearances from 1977-2014. 

By The Numbers 

Class – 4A Division I
Enrollment – 772 students
Location – Harris County, less than three miles from downtown Houston

Trophy Case

State Championships – 1 (1985)
State Championship Appearances – 3 (1981, 1985, 1992)
District Championships – 46 (most recent: 2012)
Playoff Appearances – 46 (most recent: 2024)

Glory Days 

Not only is the 1985 Houston Yates squad the best in program history - it’s widely considered the greatest Texas high school football team of all time. The Lions were the first Class 5A team to win 16 games in a season and set the all-time Texas high school football scoring record. The Crush Groove defense allowed 4.8 points per game.  

The GOAT

Running back Johnny Bailey was the bellcow of the 1985 state championship team with 1,101 yards. At 5-foot-8, Bailey played for Texas A&I (now Texas A&M-Kingsville) and became arguably the greatest Division II running back of all time. He was a four-time First Team All-American whose 7,803 career yards were, at the time, the most in college football history. Bailey played six years in the NFL and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002. He passed away in 2010 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.  

The Architect

Luther Booker’s 168–37–6 record at Yates High School from 1972-88 marked the most wins at a single 5A school at the time of his retirement. He was named Coach of the Decade by the Houston Chronicle for the 1980s, but more important was the character he displayed while leading the program. Booker enforced no pass, no play on his team before it became UIL law. Booker passed away in 1994.

Battle Lines

Houston Yates vs Houston Wheatley is a yearly battle for bragging rights between the city’s Third Ward and Fifth Ward. From 1946 to 1966, the teams met for the “Turkey Day Classic” on Thanksgiving Day. Back then, Jeppeson Stadium held 20,000 people, but those who attended remember 30,000 strong. 

Home Turf

The 23 Houston ISD schools rotate through five different stadiums, but Houston Yates has played at Herman A. Barnett Stadium since 1978. The stadium is named after the man who desegregated the University of Texas Medical School in 1953, a perfect historical figure for the historically Black schools who play there. 

The Year That Was

The Lions’ 8–3 record marked the first time since 2006-07 that the program finished with at least eight wins in back-to-back seasons. Led by junior quarterback Christopher Brown’s 3,710 total yards and 47 touchdowns, the offense averaged 51.4 points per game over a five-game win streak to close the regular season. Their 422 total points scored was the most in a season since 2010. 

Looking Ahead

Head coach Rafael Thomas took the West Mesquite job, but the Lions should be in great hands with Jason Lewis, who was elevated to lead the program after serving as the offensive line coach in 2024. Brown’s return, along with dynamic 6-foot-4 wide receiver Joshua Wallace, provides the spread attack with plenty of juice.  

Xs and Os

Offense – Spread
Defense – 4-2-5

On the Rise 

Linebacker McKinley Davis had a breakout freshman season on the varsity with 80 tackles, 8 tackles for loss and 6 sacks. He earned second team All-District honors.

In Their Words

"Yates Football is built on PRIDE, TRADITION, and EXCELLENCE! With this upcoming group of seniors—most of whom are four-year lettermen—our mission is to restore that spirit of EXCELLENCE by bringing back a winning TRADITION and honoring the PRIDE of the Third Ward community, proudly known as “The Tre.” - Jason Lewis